The assembly was relatively easy to moisten the connecting hose definitely helps (I had read a tip in another review). The pump is really very quiet, the only thing you hear is the sound of water, but also fairly quiet. Unfortunately I could not see that my cat is drinking from it, but it seems likely, as I ever discovered crumbs from the cat food in the water. Otherwise, the fountain makes a very sophisticated look, I have at the price but also expected. A tiny bit I have to complain about, the water fountain is really very large. When I unpacked it, I got only once a fright. Basically, my cat could bathe almost in it. For this you must first time have the space and why it is so great I can not understand.